New Delhi, India, February 04, 2026: In a bold move that redefines the intersection of streetwear, technology, and community, Gully Labs, India’s trailblazing sneaker house, has joined forces with CMF, the disruptive India-headquartered consumer technology brand, to launch the highly anticipated Xoloni Orange . This limited-edition sneaker is more than just footwear; it is a living testament to the power of collective creativity, embodying a new era of community-first innovation and cultural expression.
Born from the visionary #DesignCMFKicks national challenge, Xoloni Orange, is the result of a radical, full-circle creative journey that brings together raw talent, grassroots energy, and uncompromising vision. A young designer’s imagination has been transformed from sketchpad to street, culminating in a sneaker that is not just worn, but experienced. This is not just a partnership; Xoloni Orange stands as a pioneering experiment in community-led creation, setting a new benchmark for how brands can champion and elevate the voices shaping the culture of tomorrow.
When Community Becomes the Maker
What began as an open call to India’s design students evolved into a meaningful act of co-creation. The #DesignCMFKicks challenge invited young creators across the country to reimagine Gully Labs’ flagship sneaker silhouette through CMF’s bold colourways and tactile, modular design language inspired by the CMF Phone 2 Pro. From thousands of submissions, one design stood apart not just for its visual clarity, but for the intent behind it.
The winning design by Dhreetimaan Sarmah extended beyond selection. Working closely with Gully Labs & CMF’s design and production teams, Dhreetimaan translated concepts into craft through hands-on exposure to materials, construction, and manufacturing realities, completing a loop that young designers rarely get to experience.
The sneaker is named for its bold orange statement, Xoloni Orange derived from Xoloni (pronounced ho-lo-
“It’s a token of appreciation to the expert craftsmanship of shoemaking, and CMF’s USP of making tech fun again,” says Dhreetimaan Sarmah, #DesignCMFKicks Challenge Winner.
“At Gully Labs, we’ve always believed that India’s creative talent doesn’t need permission, it needs platforms built with intent. We did that with Gully Labs Baithak, our flagship store, and with this launch, we’ve opened the doors of our factory to let the community lead the design process. It’s been beautiful to witness this design evolution, and to see what happens when you trust the community and allow culture to emerge on its own terms. This collaboration reflects how we want to build at Gully Labs by opening up our process and backing ideas with real execution. It’s a reminder that strong design comes from participation, not hierarchy, and that shared ownership leads to more meaningful outcomes,” said Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Co-founders, Gully Labs.
Akis Evangelidis, Co-founder and India President, Nothing, shares, “We believe the most meaningful ideas emerge when brands stop designing for communities and start building with them. This collaboration is rooted in that belief. India has an incredibly strong creative voice, and CMF exists to give that voice a platform, not just in technology, but in culture. Working alongside Gully Labs and a young designer to bring this sneaker to life reflects how we think about co-creation, craft, and design that feels open, playful, and human. This is CMF’s design philosophy, extended beyond products and into culture.”
Xoloni Orange launches as an limited edition of just 200 individually numbered pairs, reinforcing its status as a collector’s piece rather than a conventional release. Conceived as a cultural artefact, the sneaker celebrates India’s emerging creative voices while offering a glimpse into a more collaborative future where fashion, technology, and street culture intersect with intention and meaning.
Priced at INR 5990/- and you can shop from https://gullylabs.com/
About Gully Labs: Website | Instagram
Gully Labs is a New Delhi–based sneaker design house founded in 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, reimagining India’s design language through storytelling, craftsmanship, and community-led thinking. Rooted in local narratives and executed with globally refined design, the brand creates culture-first sneakers handcrafted in India using premium materials. Gully Labs draws inspiration from India’s street culture spanning music, sport, food, cinema, and regional identities building products that translate heritage into contemporary form. The brand gained national recognition after securing funding at the highest valuation on Shark Tank India Season 5, marking a key milestone in its journey. Backed by a design-aware community and a strong product philosophy, Gully Labs is building toward becoming a generational Indian sneaker brand.
About CMF:
CMF is a consumer technology brand focused on making great design more accessible. Headquartered in India, CMF operates as an independent entity with end-to-end capabilities across design, R&D, manufacturing, and marketing, supporting its global ambitions. Since its launch in 2023, CMF has scaled rapidly across key international markets, driven by a growing global community and a clear focus on delivering meaningful innovation and core functionality without compromise. Its products have received global recognition, including the prestigious Red Dot Award, and have sold millions of units worldwide.c
